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Volleyball banquet honors achievements of young program

Westminster and Dawson wish each other well prior to the first round of Class AAA tournament play October 2017.
- photo by Amy French

Amy French

afrench@dawsonnews.com

Updated:
Nov. 7, 2017, 9:54 p.m.

After finishing out its second full season, the Dawson
County High School volleyball program held a banquet last week to celebrate the
accomplishments achieved in its short existence.

The dinner and awards were held on Oct. 30 at the
Professional Development Center.

“I think our season, our team has been the epitome of
growing through what we have gone through,” said Head Coach Tanya Porter.
“There were times last year when we were all discouraged, where our record
didn’t reflect the effort we were putting into it.

“We continued to fight and persevere and this year was a
lot, lot better finishing where we did—to make it to state. As players, at all
different times, have all had to grow through whatever it is that God put
before us to go through.”

Porter thanked a long list of supporters that have made
the program possible in its early stages—crediting the school administration,
students from last year and this year as well as the many sponsors and parents
who have contributed.

This year’s varsity team made it into the first round of
the state playoffs where they were eliminated by Westminster School. The team
finished the season 24-20 while defeating rivals Lumpkin County to earn the bid
to state.

The junior varsity team continued to develop under the
leadership of Coach Rebecca Wilkes who said it was an adventure for her to lead
the group that included: Ashton Bonney, Isabella Brown, AnnaBella Frix, Kassidy
Jones, Kailee LeBel, Micaela McClendon, Brianna McConnell, Kenzie Smith, Rachel
Swafford and Olivia Walls.

Coach Tina Brown helped Wilkes with the JV program and
Addison Hoard and Wyatt Smith served as managers for the JV and varsity
volleyball program.

Also for the second year, community coach Kristi Creegan
volunteered her service to both programs. Porter said that her help has been
invaluable.

Porter asked the varsity team to vote prior to the
banquet for the six awards given out.

Senior Amber Fite received the players award.

According to Porter, the team would not be successful
without Fite and she led by example averaging 6.8 digs, 4.8 kills and two aces
a match. She had a 91 percent serving average.

With an unanimous vote, Harmony Evans was named the
team’s most improved player. Evans averaged two kills a game and had an 83
percent service average.

The sportsmanship award went to Chloe Bennett for her
contributions and attitude. Bennett played middle hitter and averaged 4 kills
and 4 digs a game.

Creegan explained how she issued a challenge to Bennett
who had struggled with passing early in the year.

“I told her, ‘you can’t pass.’” Creegan said laughing.

That was a challenge Bennett took seriously and worked on
the skill to become one of the better all around players.

Defensive player of the year was Kati Brady. Porter said
that whenever the team faced a big hitter, she would coordinate a shift in the
lineup so Brady was in position to make play.

“We would tell her to just step in and take it,” Porter
said. “And she would.”

Porter called her a humble servant and a team player.

Brady averaged almost 8 digs a game and also had a 91
percent service average.

The offensive player of the year award went to middle
hitter Roxie Fricton who is also new to the sport, but has taken off averaging
7 kills a game. She also had a 91 percent serving average.

Fricton’s enthusiasm up front was also a motivation for
her teammates, according to Porter who attempted to imitate Fricton’s signature
fist pump move and jump following a play at the net.

Brittany Sayler, the team setter, was named most valuable
player for the second year in a row.

“It was no surprise,” said Porter.

One of the only players with prior volleyball experience gave
up her normal position of libero to become setter for the young program.

“Stats don’t reflect how much she did,” Porter said. “She
was key for us as a leader on and off the floor. She was a pivotal role player
for our team last season and this season.”

Sayler averaged 15 assists a game, including 1.5 aces and
a 91 percent service average.

Porter closed the evening by telling the team what a
pleasure it was for her to watch the young team grow.